Read Online The Imperfection of Swans by Brandon Witt - Free Book Online

taking away from the shop. I want the brides to feel like they are in an exclusive, enchanting wedding shop.”
    Monica lifted her last forkful of chocolate cake between them. “Rent to a wedding cake baker. One-stop shop.” She popped the cake in her mouth, then motioned toward Casper, not bothering to finish chewing. “Hell, get this one to do it. This cake is fucking fantastic.”
    Casper turned toward her, trying to keep his jaw from hitting the floor.
    In that one statement, Casper felt the world shift. A spike of terror flooded through him, then longing, followed by the realization of how ludicrous it would be.
    A grin began to spread over Kevin’s face. “Huh. Monica, you may be onto something. I’d not thought about that. That could be amazing. And charging rent could help me with the mortgage.” He let out a laugh, one that sounded like relief. “If you ever need a wedding dress, it will be on the house!”
    Monica grimaced. “No thank you, honey. Though I will take a free wedding cake. Seven layers.”
    Kevin grinned. “You got it.”
    Fate. People had always called him crazy to believe in fate as much as he did, but Casper didn’t care. Sure, you had to work hard. Had to work your damned ass off, but you also needed to look for fate. Too many people worked their whole lives for a dream and ignored signs and nudgings. Others didn’t work at all and simply waited for fate to drop a golden ticket in their lap.
    Casper Leroy James was of neither variety.
    He looked around Savor, slightly dazed and already mentally saying a surreal good-bye. When he refocused on the table, he saw Kevin watching him.
    Casper took a breath. “Actually, Monica, that’s a great idea. If that happens, I’ll make you a seven-layer wedding cake every single year.” He kept his gaze locked on Kevin’s eyes, judging the sincerity. “Are you serious? Do you think a wedding dress and cake combo is a good idea?”
    Kevin nodded slowly, seeming as dazed as Casper felt. “Yeah. I think so. I’d never thought of it before, but it could be pretty amazing.”
    Never let fate slip through your fingers. Casper pulled out his wallet and fished inside, finding what he was looking for, then holding it out to Kevin. “Here’s my business card. Think about it, and let me know. I’ll rent a floor from you. I can bake a variety for you or whatever you might need so you know the quality.”
    “Don’t you need to think about it?” Kevin looked at him like he was crazy.
    “No. Not for a minute.” A sense of excited calm settled over him. “Nope. You say the word, and I’m all in.”
    The discussion around the table gradually slid to other things, but Casper heard none of it. He was lost in his mind. Lost to images of cakes, marble counters, creating his own visions.
    He could feel it. This was it. Sooner than he’d dreamed and totally different than he’d considered. But this was it.

 
     
    CASPER
     
    THE CHRISTMAS lights up and down Tremont made waiting in the freezing cold somewhat more bearable. With the holiday a little more than a week away, Casper felt like the universe was giving him the biggest Christmas present of all time. Removing a glove, he placed his hand on the front door, as if feeling for a heartbeat. He swore he could almost sense one.
    A part of his mind warned about counting chickens and carts before horses, but that voice was easy to push aside. This was right. He could feel it. And, honestly, even if it weren’t, he was already set on the idea. It hadn’t even been twenty-four hours, and the change had already happened. Trying to get through his shift at Savor, he felt like he was in someone else’s house. He didn’t belong there anymore. When he received Kevin’s voice mail asking if he’d like to see inside the building, Casper didn’t wait more than a moment before feigning sudden sickness and dashing out the door. It didn’t matter if anyone believed him or not. He was realistic enough to know that